Social Healing Through Justice: The Mass Killing of Korea Jeju Islanders

"Social Healing Through Justice: "The Mass Killing of Korea Jeju Islanders During U.S. Peacetime Occupation"

During its peacetime occupation of South Korea, the United States initiated and later oversaw the Korean military's and national police's actions resulting in the mass killing and detention of 30,000 citizens residing in the picturesque Korea Jeju Island. The story of the Jeju 4.3 (April 3, 1948) tragedy was hidden from public view for decades until democracy movement-spurred truth commissions investigated and revealed aspects of the harsh reality and the persisting wounds. Since the mid-2000s the national government has made efforts toward social healing. But those efforts are perceived as incomplete. What's next for South Korea and the Jeju Islanders? For U.S. involvement? For initiatives worldwide aimed at "Social Healing Through Justice"?

Professor Ko Changhoon is a scholar who has been on the frontlines advocating for justice for the Jeju survivors and their families. Professor Tae-Ung Baik is a renown human rights scholar and advocate. Professor Yamamoto is the Fred T. Korematsu Professor of Law and Social Justice.